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Here's my dilemna and I'm hoping some of you guys on here can clear some things up for me.

I used to have a 2004 STi that I loved. I modded it to get rid of the first year issues like the clunking suspension, the numb steering feel and the unsupportive seats. I regret ever getting rid of it.

Anyways I'm looking to get back into a japanese awd car!

I drove a 2011 Evo X base GSR and LOVED IT. I think this is a wonderful machine, with the drawback of no fold down rear seats and a very small trunk. I have a baby on the way so space is a consideration. If I go with the EVO i think I may just get a roof rack with a box if I really need the extra room.

My real issue here is I'm also considering a 2011 STi, or WRX hatch because I'm nostalgic for my old sti, and I could benefit from the added convenience of the hatch.. Since 2004 it seems that the WRX has gone through drastic improvements, while the STi has remained relatively stagnant with dramatic price increases. I purchased my 2004 for 28k out the door, and now an STi is about 10k more!!!

Can any of you justify the disparity between the price of the 2011 STi and the 2011 WRX for the improvements you get with the STi.

The way I see it, with a few bolt ons and maybe a nice set of coilovers, you can come pretty close to the everyday excitement of the STi, and still be ahead of the game money wise.

I test drove a WRX, a ralliart, an STI, and an Evo GSR, an M3, and a A4 w/s4 package before I purchased. I did not like the ralliart at all. The Evo was awesome, but I could not get past the rough ride or interior(worst gauge cluster ever). The STI was great, but I did not see much difference between it and the WRX. This car was going to be a mod car, and I simple saw the most potential with the WRX. The STi is a better platform to mod, but its not worth the 10+k difference to me personally. I think Subi needs to re-think there STi platform for what they are asking.

So I decided on the WRX. Has most everything I wanted, great power, great ride, great interior, and a lot of room to mod.

I test drove a WRX, a ralliart, an STI, and an Evo GSR, an M3, and a A4 w/s4 package before I purchased. I did not like the ralliart at all. The Evo was awesome, but I could not get past the rough ride or interior(worst gauge cluster ever). The STI was great, but I did not see much difference between it and the WRX. This car was going to be a mod car, and I simple saw the most potential with the WRX. The STi is a better platform to mod, but its not worth the 10+k difference to me personally. I think Subi needs to re-think there STi platform for what they are asking.

So I decided on the WRX. Has most everything I wanted, great power, great ride, great interior, and a lot of room to mod.

Ha! This seems like you were exactly on the same train of thought I was. It's nice to see that I'm not the only one that feels you don't get what you pay for with the 2011 STi.

After having had a 06' WRX and subsequently blowing up the 5spd on a 20g setup then going with a 6pspd, and a couple of my friends who have STI's I will never buy another WRX. The feel is night and day between the two in terms of how they drive. To put in a 6spd WITHOUT brembos or R180 was over 5,000 out the door. The price of the STI is more than justified by the 6spd, R180, brembos, front LSD alone as they absolutely make the car. Nothing against anyone with a WRX as I had one to but the 5spd is awful, the gears are too long, the shifting feel is not good and they're weak, the center diff is also not nearly as effective in snow and rain as the dccd.

My view is if you can afford the STI go for it and you'll be happy you did. I've had a Mazdaspeed3 for the past 2 years and I'm looking at a 2012 STI hatch when its available. If I don't get sucked into V8 land or a 135i.

After having had a 06' WRX and subsequently blowing up the 5spd on a 20g setup then going with a 6pspd, and a couple of my friends who have STI's I will never buy another WRX. The feel is night and day between the two in terms of how they drive. To put in a 6spd WITHOUT brembos or R180 was over 5,000 out the door. The price of the STI is more than justified by the 6spd, R180, brembos, front LSD alone as they absolutely make the car. Nothing against anyone with a WRX as I had one to but the 5spd is awful, the gears are too long, the shifting feel is not good and they're weak, the center diff is also not nearly as effective in snow and rain as the dccd.

My view is if you can afford the STI go for it and you'll be happy you did. I've had a Mazdaspeed3 for the past 2 years and I'm looking at a 2012 STI hatch when its available. If I don't get sucked into V8 land or a 135i.

Well stated. Any reason on why you're waiting for the 2012? Is there a style/mechanical change coming, or are you just looking to avoid the first year issues like 2004 had?

It was between the limited wrx or base sti for me. Went with the limited wrx because it is going to be mainly the wifes car and my weekend driver. I have a long commute so I don't want to be racking up the miles on it. The difference between 500 a month and 400 a month isn't huge but with the wife driving it 70% of the time and me not planning on modding too much other than light suspension and power...and just DD..didn't see the need.

With a baby on the way...unless you can easily afford the difference...do you really NEED the sti? You're going to be extremely busy with your first newborn..

Yeah I've searched, and I've read the posts, and I was hoping to get some input with the addition of the Evo as an option.

I've been a member here since 2003 with my fair share of posts. The "search n00b" responses with absolutely no input is what makes NASIOC fantastic.

It boils down to personal preference and that's it. I was in virtually the same situation. Wife wants to start baby making in a month or so, new car was the 'reward' for me agreeing to it.

I easily justified the STI because money is not an issue for us. I knew that I wouldn't have the time to mod the car other than the easy stuff. I wanted to be able to just get in it, drive and have fun and take it to the track without needing to do anything or feeling like I had to baby some part of the car due to a potential weakness.

I've had 2 wrx's and 1 sti before. I remember how paranoid I was about the 5 spd and that made me never love the cars. The STI I loved. Easy decision.

EVO was instant elimination because I simply don't like the exterior or interior styling, the lack of exhaust note stock, and the weak clutches that need babying even with stock power levels. The MR was not even in running because I need a clutch and stick to row.

It boils down to personal preference and that's it. I was in virtually the same situation. Wife wants to start baby making in a month or so, new car was the 'reward' for me agreeing to it.

I easily justified the STI because money is not an issue for us. I knew that I wouldn't have the time to mod the car other than the easy stuff. I wanted to be able to just get in it, drive and have fun and take it to the track without needing to do anything or feeling like I had to baby some part of the car due to a potential weakness.

I've had 2 wrx's and 1 sti before. I remember how paranoid I was about the 5 spd and that made me never love the cars. The STI I loved. Easy decision.

EVO was instant elimination because I simply don't like the exterior or interior styling, the lack of exhaust note stock, and the weak clutches that need babying even with stock power levels. The MR was not even in running because I need a clutch and stick to row.

Sweet reward!!! I needed some coaxing as well. The interior styling of the EVO is very much lacking...but to me those seats more than make up for the rest of it. I just love those seats.

Sounds like you're loving the STi! The closest dealership to me has one STi and it sounded like they weren't keen on test drives. I'll have to go up to hartford or springfield to the bigger dealerships to get a feel for one of these machines. Did you test drive an EVO, or did you decide from pics/reviews that you didn't like the interior?

Oh and I just saw that you got your STi for 33k. 33k to me seems way more reasonable for what you get, what was MSRP on your car?

I don't know of many, if any, 5 speed failures in the newer cars. Don't let that make your decision.

What are you using the car for?
Add up the price of the "a few bolt ons and maybe a nice set of coilovers" to the WRX and then what is the price difference between the two cars?
Is the price difference enough for you to justify a 6-speed, limited slip diffs, dccd, multi-mode traction/stability control systems, much better brakes and different seats?

Sweet reward!!! I needed some coaxing as well. The interior styling of the EVO is very much lacking...but to me those seats more than make up for the rest of it. I just love those seats.

Sounds like you're loving the STi! The closest dealership to me has one STi and it sounded like they weren't keen on test drives. I'll have to go up to hartford or springfield to the bigger dealerships to get a feel for one of these machines. Did you test drive an EVO, or did you decide from pics/reviews that you didn't like the interior?

Oh and I just saw that you got your STi for 33k. 33k to me seems way more reasonable for what you get, what was MSRP on your car?

MSRP was 35 and some change. I got it for invoice. IMO the base STI is more than well equipped...heated seats/wipers/mirrors, bluetooth, iPod connectivity, HIDs, added homelink mirror to give me everything I wanted and needed in the car, luxury wise. Everything else was wasted money to me.

I don't know of many, if any, 5 speed failures in the newer cars. Don't let that make your decision.

What are you using the car for?
Add up the price of the "a few bolt ons and maybe a nice set of coilovers" to the WRX and then what is the price difference between the two cars?
Is the price difference enough for you to justify a 6-speed, limited slip diffs, dccd, multi-mode traction/stability control systems, much better brakes and different seats?

Check out the transmission section and the warranty denial thread. I've seen more than a few 5spd failures on newer ones. They don't fail as easily or to the same level of catastrophy as the early bugeyes, but the 6spd and the STI clutch are both undeniably stronger...and that's enough for me.

MSRP was 35 and some change. I got it for invoice. IMO the base STI is more than well equipped...heated seats/wipers/mirrors, bluetooth, iPod connectivity, HIDs, added homelink mirror to give me everything I wanted and needed in the car, luxury wise. Everything else was wasted money to me.

Thats alot more equipment "standard" than the base EVO GSR. The lowest I could get for a base GSR is 33,300. My dealer wasn't willing to come off of MSRP for an STi. Especially one they would have to order. Looks like some phone calls are in order.

Well stated. Any reason on why you're waiting for the 2012? Is there a style/mechanical change coming, or are you just looking to avoid the first year issues like 2004 had?

Well main reason for me to wait is I've only had my MS3 2 years and I'm making myself wait until this time next year. I got this car after my wrx was totaled with only 800 miles on a built motor and rotated setup after being down for 4 months (old guy pulled into oncoming traffic, his insurance paid out big).

There is however is a good chance there will be something new for '12 being that the last body will have run 4 years. I'm not just looking at the STI though, I'm also looking at a BMW 135i and the '12 Boss mustang. I drove a 2011 GT and it was pretty fun but less functional and I do alot of mountain biking.

I don't know of many, if any, 5 speed failures in the newer cars. Don't let that make your decision.

What are you using the car for?
Add up the price of the "a few bolt ons and maybe a nice set of coilovers" to the WRX and then what is the price difference between the two cars?
Is the price difference enough for you to justify a 6-speed, limited slip diffs, dccd, multi-mode traction/stability control systems, much better brakes and different seats?

The car will be a DD that will probably see about 5 autocross and MAYBE 1 track event a year. I was pretty competitive in my class with my first STi, but I would be doing it this time around just to have some fun on the weekend.

I added homelink mirror, all weather mats, and had wheel locks from my WRX, otherwise I would have ordered them too.

And like you, I wish now that I would have gotten XM.

Go figure.

you can always add sat radio, its pretty much plug, pay and play.

I went through 5 dealers before I found one who would give me Invoice. Lucky for me they had three already on the way, dark blue, red and the dark grey. the blue one sold 3 days before I called them, now the grey one is mine.

other than the red one they are getting theres maybe 2 other STi's with in 200 miles of me.

My dealer wasn't willing to come off of MSRP for an STi. Especially one they would have to order. Looks like some phone calls are in order.

Only one call needed. Call Gary Smith or Steve Appelbe at Manchester (New Hampshire) Subaru, tell 'em you want the "Nasioc Price" and they'll probably even deliver the danged car to you if you want. It'll be under dealer invoice.